The partnership aims to increase awareness about exporting in the US business community and will focus on small and medium-sized businesses, educating them about the tools and resources organisations provide to help them succeed in the global marketplace.

IAEE will cooperate with ITA and its US Commercial Service on marketing, education programmes and events leveraging both entities’ expertise to help make US businesses more “export savvy”.

Under the Memorandum Of Agreement, joint activities could include building awareness through outreach at trade shows, collaborative press and digital communication, and online registration for resource support.

“This collaboration comes at a pivotal time for us as we are refocusing our strategic plan on international efforts and making significant strides to engage organisers, exhibitors and attendees globally to minimise barriers to our members’ success,” said IAEE chairperson Skip Cox (pictured).

“Keeping IAEE’s mission of globally promoting the unique value of exhibitions and events as the principal resource for those who plan, produce and service the industry top of mind, I am very pleased that this collaboration will allow and afford new opportunities for our members who rely on international attendees and global exporters to ensure the success of their events.”

IAEE president and CEO David DuBois said: “Representing the interests of the exhibitions and events industry, IAEE is excited to lead this initiative for its members who advocate for and educate industry professionals internationally. We are dedicated to this initiative to ensure sustainable economic growth based on trade initiatives.”

Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Stefan Selig said IAEE’s partnership will help efforts to strengthen the US economy and support local jobs through expanding US exports.

“With more than 95 per cent of potential customers living outside US borders, the International Trade Administration remains laser-focused on helping US companies of all sizes explore and enter new markets for their world-class products and services,” he added.

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Exhibition WorldExhibition World, produced in partnership with global exhibition industry association UFI is the magazine for the international exhibition community. Read by leading exhibition organisers, venues and service suppliers across the globe, Exhibition World tackles the issues affecting the exhibition industry.